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Post by KikiPea on Feb 16, 2021 14:20:01 GMT
So far, we still have power...I just don’t know why. 🤪 We are just about out of water, though. We have to boil what we do have. We have a tub full, so hopefully that will last us. We may try to run to the store this morning, but they are probably out of everything already.
My parents haven’t had power for most of yesterday. My mom called her two closest neighbors and the FD yesterday when they couldn’t get a fire started with no luck. She stuck her head out her door, and luckily another nearby neighbor gave them a safe, warm place to sleep. Since we still have power, we thought about going to get them, but it would probably take us 2-3 hrs or more to get there on treacherous backroads. I feel awful that we aren’t closer by.
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Post by Merge on Feb 16, 2021 14:29:39 GMT
I don’t know what you saw on GMA, so it’s hard to say. Abbott yesterday was truthful in saying the problem was with power generation plants that have failed - not only frozen wind turbines in the west, but also coal and gas powered plants that have been unable to operate in extreme cold. I read an article in the Houston paper yesterday that cited an energy professor at UH, saying that our power production facilities have not been well maintained/updated due to the fact that power is entirely deregulated here, and thus were unable to manage this weather. Texas is unique in that the majority of the state is on a grid that is not connected to any other states. This is done to avoid federal regulation of our power system, and this seems to be the result. Fuck! There are just some things that need to be state and federal my controlled. Utilities are one of them. You can't deregulate everything. I was very involved in the process through my work in the Michigan legislature when deregulation was being debated. And it amazing just how far some advocates want to take it. I think we need to look at this failure in Texas to see the very real outcome of total deregulation.
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Post by Sharon on Feb 16, 2021 14:35:32 GMT
We'be basically been without power since 2 a.m. Monday morning. The house is about 50 degrees. It's cold! They keep trying to tell us it is rolling blackouts but I know too many people that have never lost power. I think they are just targeting certain areas. I'm sick of it! It's colder in the OKC area with more snow and ice. They all have power. I'm about ready to attempt the drive to our son's house or my brothers.
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Post by refugeepea on Feb 16, 2021 15:16:16 GMT
It's really odd being 20 degrees warmer than Dallas.
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Post by KikiPea on Feb 16, 2021 15:18:23 GMT
We'be basically been without power since 2 a.m. Monday morning. The house is about 50 degrees. It's cold! They keep trying to tell us it is rolling blackouts but I know too many people that have never lost power. I think they are just targeting certain areas. I'm sick of it! It's colder in the OKC area with more snow and ice. They all have power. I'm about ready to attempt the drive to our son's house or my brothers. If they are not close by, please decide carefully. We have a friend out in it right now searching for water, and he said the roads are a mess. If you don’t have a 4wheel, or all wheel drive, I wouldn’t risk it. I’m so sorry you’re miserable. Big hugs!
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Post by Merge on Feb 16, 2021 15:19:17 GMT
It's really odd being 20 degrees warmer than Dallas. It’s currently 14 degrees warmer at our rental house in Maine than it is at our actual house in Houston.
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,404
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
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Post by katybee on Feb 16, 2021 15:50:27 GMT
My power has been going on and off.....on and off.... I’ve stopped resetting my microwave and stove clocks, even though it makes me CRAZY when they’re flashing....because the minute I do, my power goes out again. Seriously, I am so grateful that I’ve had power enough to stay warm, heat food and charge my phone. And I’m so mad for all of you that have gone this whole time with no power.
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,404
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
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Post by katybee on Feb 16, 2021 15:55:50 GMT
Y’all, this is all getting too scary! I’m so stressed for everyone. I hate that there is nothing I can do to help. There is something you can do! Remember all of this when you vote. Remember what small government and anti-regulation have gotten us. The people we have elected in Texas have convinced people that a functioning government and public services = socialism. The people we have elected have chosen profit over people.
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Post by KikiPea on Feb 16, 2021 16:18:40 GMT
We have a friend close by that went out for water, and was able to bring back a case of 24 bottles, and a gallon of water. 🥰
My parents are able to hang out with their neighbors, which is great!
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Post by myshelly on Feb 16, 2021 16:33:49 GMT
Hour 32 of no power.
We are packing up to leave the house.
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Post by busy on Feb 16, 2021 16:39:52 GMT
Quite a few friends in various parts of the Houston area got power back overnight, in Montrose, Katy, and the Woodlands, so hopefully it's coming back more broadly and peas will be warm again soon!
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Post by katiekaty on Feb 16, 2021 16:42:49 GMT
We are in Katy and have not gotten power back on.
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Post by KikiPea on Feb 16, 2021 17:10:13 GMT
We are in Katy and have not gotten power back on. I’m so sorry. They said if you don’t have it, don’t expect to for at least the rest of today. Praying that that’s not the case.
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Post by katiescarlett on Feb 16, 2021 17:27:07 GMT
I feel guilty that we haven't lost power or water. Not even a flicker! Other neighbors have been without for 30 plus hours. We are hunkered down and just waiting for this next storm to pass. I was prepared to work from home but our office building has lost power so we can't connect remotely. So I've been doing a lot of scrapbooking!
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Post by librarylady on Feb 16, 2021 17:31:46 GMT
And now Atmos (our natural gas provider) is saying that people will possibly be losing their natural gas & to start preparing for not having it available. So for anyone making a list, Texas has residents who: --have had no electricity for almost 24 hours --entire cities have no water available (because they use electricity to purify the water) --and now natural gas is going to be unavailable in homes.
Many years ago, (I think in the 1980s) the gas company limited the gas that residential customers could have during a remarkably cold period of time. The town of Brady had no gas (I think there was some problem then,not done on purpose). We were cool in the house then, not cold. The schools had no gas either. The businesses and medical facilities had gas.
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Post by Tearisci on Feb 16, 2021 17:43:39 GMT
I'm in the northern part of DFW and have had no power but thankfully my niece does and the whole family has been camped out there. it's a lot with kids and noise but at least we are warm!
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Post by NanaKate on Feb 16, 2021 17:44:53 GMT
We finally got power back a little after 2am. So thankful! But now, no water. We’ve got several cases in the garage so that’s ok. At least we can’t see our breath while sitting in our living room this morning!
Stay safe and warm everyone ❤️
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,748
Location: Houston, TX
Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by smartypants71 on Feb 16, 2021 17:47:10 GMT
I'm feeling pretty lucky. I haven't lost power or water, although that is very low pressure right now. I've set my thermostats lower than my comfort level, and blew up an air mattress and put it in front of my fireplace, so I can sit here and work in comfort. I might be taking in DDs cats a little later bc she doesn't have power at the moment (she's in the Greenway area).
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Post by supersoda on Feb 16, 2021 17:51:37 GMT
I feel guilty that we haven't lost power or water. Not even a flicker! Other neighbors have been without for 30 plus hours. We are hunkered down and just waiting for this next storm to pass. I was prepared to work from home but our office building has lost power so we can't connect remotely. So I've been doing a lot of scrapbooking! Same for us--we've never lost power. But we wandered out last night and there are apartments about 1/4 mile from us that were obviously without power. We've had some issues, but I feel we've been really fortunate. My office is across the street from a hospital (supposedly in a high-priority area protected from rolling blackouts) and power has been in and out, so server access is spotty. Meanwhile, my kid in NY is 40 degrees warmer than we are in DFW!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,213
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Feb 16, 2021 18:10:28 GMT
I haven’t read through all 9 pages, so forgive me if any of this is duplication. Yes, Texas has it’s own power grid. Texas has a lot of wind, and they take advantage of it with wind turbines. Unfortunately, half of the wind turbines are reportedly frozen. Solar panels are covered in ice and snow. Both the wind turbines and solar panels work very well in the summer here, and our winters are usually mild. Texas doesn’t normally get winter weather like this.
In the rotating blackout notice that was posted for my area, it stated that there are certain facilities such as hospitals, fire departments, water pump stations, etc., that are considered critical needs, so they are not supposed to be included in the blackout rotations. I don’t know if they have their own little piece of grid, or if some homes near them are part of their grid, but that may be a reason that some people have kept their power, if they live right next to a critical facility.
Our newlywed son and his bride had been without power since 2 a.m. yesterday, so they finally braved the roads and came here late yesterday afternoon. We have only had rotating blackouts, not constant. Our house is also far better insulated and energy efficient than their decades old apartment. Their apartment was below 50 degrees when they left to come here.
This has been extremely bizarre weather for Texas. I have only lived here 4 years, and in that time, we have never seen weather like this. Our older son has lived here a lot longer. He hasn’t seen weather like this before.
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Post by Megan on Feb 16, 2021 18:58:23 GMT
Okay, we get it. You win. Your area has much worse weather and we are nothing but wimps for discussing/commiserating/complaining about our current once in a 100 years event. The purpose of this thread was for Texans to check in with each other, not have all the Northerners come in and play one-upmanship with tales of how much worse you have it and can handle it with ease. Well that wasn't the point of my posts here. I actually feel bad that you are having weather you aren't prepared for and I'll tell you I could never, ever in a million years handle 110 degree heat. I think I would melt. And I'll tell you I have a lot of family in Arizona. None in Texas. But I see it as a trade off really. You guys are trapped in the house in the summer while we are out having a good time. And you guys normally get to have a nice winter. And I feel bad you're not getting it. I only commented trying to be helpful about freezing pipes. Absolutely understand you guys aren't prepared. Someone asked why northerners weren't sending salt trucks but we're under snow here. What a crazy winter nationwide!
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sassyangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,456
Jun 26, 2014 23:58:32 GMT
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Post by sassyangel on Feb 16, 2021 19:52:19 GMT
And now Atmos (our natural gas provider) is saying that people will possibly be losing their natural gas & to start preparing for not having it available. So for anyone making a list, Texas has residents who: --have had no electricity for almost 24 hours --entire cities have no water available (because they use electricity to purify the water) --and now natural gas is going to be unavailable in homes. I’m only keeping a list for the next time some random on Twitter talks about secession. 😏 In seriousness though, I’m sorry you guys are having it so bad. Those temps are horribly cold, brutally so - when you’re not used to them. They’re having rolling outages here in ND because half of our grid is aligned with grids under pressure in the south. Thankfully our brutal cold temps are starting to warm and I’m on the other grid that is dealing ok with this so far. I hope you all get power and heat back soon.
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,232
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Feb 16, 2021 20:34:38 GMT
I haven’t read through all 9 pages, so forgive me if any of this is duplication. Yes, Texas has it’s own power grid. Texas has a lot of wind, and they take advantage of it with wind turbines. Unfortunately, half of the wind turbines are reportedly frozen. Solar panels are covered in ice and snow. Both the wind turbines and solar panels work very well in the summer here, and our winters are usually mild. Texas doesn’t normally get winter weather like this. Our electricity problems here in Texas are not due to frozen turbines and solar panels covered with snow and ice. “While ice has forced some turbines to shut down just as a brutal cold wave drives record electricity demand, that’s been the least significant factor in the blackouts, according to Dan Woodfin, a senior director for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates the state’s power grid. The main factors: Frozen instruments at natural gas, coal and even nuclear facilities, as well as limited supplies of natural gas, he said. “Natural gas pressure” in particular is one reason power is coming back slower than expected Tuesday, added Woodfin.” Link because I know someone will ask.
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,232
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Feb 16, 2021 20:49:00 GMT
I am so angry. Most of my family lives in the Abilene/Colorado City area. And the Colorado City mayor posted this on his FB account. They've had no water and electricity since Sunday. View AttachmentWell he’s a real peach, isn’t he? I love those who want to talk about God, but act like a self-centered jackass. I bet if his family was cold, hungry, or without water he just may play a different tune.
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ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,043
Location: Valley of the Sun
Jul 26, 2014 21:02:07 GMT
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Feb 16, 2021 20:52:40 GMT
I am so angry. Most of my family lives in the Abilene/Colorado City area. And the Colorado City mayor posted this on his FB account. They've had no water and electricity since Sunday. View AttachmentWhoa. That is seriously the mayor? I have to go back to the old pea phrase of “Wow. Just wow.”
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Post by Merge on Feb 16, 2021 21:00:03 GMT
Still no power for me, and water pressure is just a trickle. Yay!
Cell service is also super crappy right now at the house, probably due to towers with no power, so I’m sitting in a parking lot where the power is on to check messages and stuff.
DH is going to try to get the generator going but it seems a little pointless as we can’t use it in the rain, and it’s supposed to start up with freezing rain again tonight.
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Post by myshelly on Feb 16, 2021 21:00:21 GMT
We made it to my sister’s house
The roads were BAD because the layer of snow that had become slush has frozen over again so now there’s a thick layer of ice on top of the snow. And all of the signal lights were out.
My youngest son came to me and said “mom, looks at my toes, they’re red and they hurt like they’re burning.”
Y’all, my kids were getting frostbite INSIDE my house. That was when we decided we had to leave.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Feb 16, 2021 21:04:24 GMT
Prayers that power, water and gas is restored soon. I feel so bad that so many are suffering. I can’t even imagine what I’m reading here. I’m hoping that something is put into place to prevent anything like this happening again.
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Post by myshelly on Feb 16, 2021 21:04:27 GMT
The suburbs around me have all issued statements saying if you don’t have power you probably won’t get it back until Thursday at the earliest, there’s nothing they can do, and if you decide to drive somewhere and get in a wreck it will be “a significant period of time” before any help can arrive.
In addition to the City of Ft Worth, at least 4 other cities have had to issue boil water notices. Restaurants must close, so there’s nowhere to get food.
The cities have just basically said “May the odds be ever in your favor.”
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Post by Merge on Feb 16, 2021 21:09:58 GMT
Whoa. That is seriously the mayor? I have to go back to the old pea phrase of “Wow. Just wow.” Yep. Thats the mayor. I was friends with his wife (I used to live in Colorado City) on FB before she deleted her account. She is now saying he was hacked....but that was after the post hit the fan. Lol. French teenagers, obviously. Meanwhile in Houston, all the Trumpers in town are blaming our Democratic city and county government for the lack of power, no matter how many times Greg Abbott tweets out about ERCOT. And of course Fox has them all convinced it’s solely a wind turbine problem.
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